Heat No Excuse: England Manager Tuchel Vows to Win or Bust

(Central News Agency, West Palm Beach, Florida, 5th Combined Foreign Reports) England football manager Thomas Tuchel vowed on Thursday that the Three Lions will not use the scorching heat or travel fatigue as excuses for failing to win the World Cup, stating that the team's only goal is to keep winning.

According to AFP, England will face New Zealand in a pre-World Cup friendly on Saturday in Tampa Bay, Florida. The team has been training under the blazing sun and oppressive humidity in West Palm Beach.

"We will not make any excuses," Tuchel said at a pre-match press conference. "This journey is a tough one. There will be intense long-haul flights ahead, and the temperature and humidity will present significant obstacles and tests. But I hope this will be a long and successful World Cup journey."

Regarding the match venue on Saturday, Tuchel admitted to having "some concerns" after seeing photos of the recently re-sodded pitch at Tampa Bay's stadium, but he emphasized that poor pitch conditions would not affect his tactical decisions.

He also confirmed that England plans to make wholesale substitutions at halftime, swapping all 11 outfield players.

"We'll see how it goes at the venue. If any unexpected situations arise, we can adapt at any time," Tuchel said.

The tournament is co-hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada. England is considered among the top tier of favorites alongside France, Spain, and defending champions Argentina. The team aims to win its first World Cup since 1966, ending a 60-year drought.

After the friendly against New Zealand, England will play another warm-up match against Costa Rica on June 10 in Orlando, Florida, before moving to their training base in Kansas City to prepare for the tournament. Weather forecasts predict temperatures above 30 degrees Celsius with thunderstorms in the coming days.

England's opening match of the tournament is against strong opponent Croatia on June 17 in Dallas, where temperatures are expected to reach 35 degrees Celsius next week.

If England advances from the group stage, knockout matches could take place in high-altitude Mexico City, with a potential quarterfinal return to Miami.

"This is our task, and this is the goal we must achieve: to build a strong mentality that allows everyone to remain calm and patient under any extreme conditions and adapt quickly," Tuchel said. "This is the essential survival rule for progressing in a major tournament."

Despite the expected heatwave during the tournament, the German manager stated he would not abandon his trademark high-pressing system.

"The tactical value of winning the ball high up the pitch is extremely high. Even if it involves great risk and places immense physical demands on the players, we will not hesitate," he said.

England, which has reached the last two European Championship finals, is placed in Group L alongside Ghana, Panama, and Croatia.

In the 2018 World Cup semifinals, a younger England side lost to a more experienced Croatia team.

However, Tuchel emphasized that the situation is completely different this time. He expressed great satisfaction with the current squad, which he described as full of "championship experience," noting that about 12 players won trophies with their clubs in the recently concluded 2025-26 season.

"Having so many 'winners' in the squad gives us tremendous confidence," Tuchel said. "This confidence radiates from within; it's not a bluff. The players know how to handle pressure because they have proven themselves on the biggest stages, in real finals."

Regarding the opening match against Croatia, Tuchel indicated he already has a plan. "I have a core rotation of 14 to 15 players in my mind. They have the ability and the responsibility to carry this team," he said. (Editor: Chen Yiwei) 1150606